Girls High School Basketball

Central Catholic junior forward Jerusha Paine, a transfer from Oregon City, has emerged as a go-to player for the young Rams, who are rebuilding after winning the Class 6A girls basketball title last season.

The 5-foot-9 Paine has been the catalyst as Central Catholic (10-9, 7-3 Mt. Hood Conference) has won three in a row and eight of nine.

In wins over Reynolds, Centennial and Barlow last week, she averaged 21.7 points and 11.3 rebounds, including a 24-point, 16-rebound performance in a 49-44 win over Centennial that moved the Rams into second place. For the season, she is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds.

Central Catholic Rams (OSAA)

“She’s really coming along as kind of the leader of the team,” coach Sandy Dickerson said. “Everybody else has kind of stepped in as needed, but she’s been very consistent for us. It’s taken her a while to be comfortable with being the lead scorer and having so much responsibility, but she’s really melded in.”

Paine is scoring despite drawing multiple defenders. She gets most of her points posting up and on rebounds but also has the ability to make midrange jumpers.

“I think she’s going to be one of those kids who, based on her size, is going to face the basket a little bit more,” Dickerson said. “At the same time, as she becomes stronger, she’s still going to be darn good with her back to the basket.

“She still needs to acquire a few more counter moves. She definitely has a go-to move, but acquiring a couple more counter moves, and being more confident with those moves, is going to help her along the way.”

Paine’s sisters, Johanna and Jenae, were standouts at Oregon City and are freshmen on college teams at Santa Clara and Metro State (Colo.), respectively.